What You Need to Know About Depression Treatments

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Depression can be effectively treated, even in the most severe cases. And the earlier depression treatments begin, the more effective they are.

The first step to getting appropriate treatment is to visit a doctor or mental health specialist. Certain medications, and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A doctor can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview and lab tests.

If the doctor can find no medical condition that may be causing the depression, the next step is a psychological evaluation.

The doctor may refer you to a mental health professional, who should discuss any family history of depression or other mental disorder, and get a complete history of your symptoms. You should discuss when your symptoms started, how long they’ve lasted, how severe they are, whether they’ve occurred before and, if so, how they were treated. The mental health professional may also ask if you’re using alcohol or drugs, and if you’re thinking about death or suicide.

Once diagnosed, a person can be treated in several ways. The most common depression treatments are medication and psychotherapy.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Antidepressant medicationsAntidepressants primarily work on brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and norepinephrine. Other antidepressants work on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Scientists have found that these particular chemicals are involved in regulating mood, but they are unsure of the exact ways that they work.

Popular newer antidepressant medicationsSome of the newest and most popular antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa) are some of the most common SSRIs prescribed as depression treatments. Most are available in generic versions.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are similar to SSRIs, include venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta).

SSRIs and SNRIs tend to have fewer side effects than older antidepressants, but they sometimes produce headaches, nausea, jitters or insomnia when people first start to take them. These symptoms tend to fade with time. Some people also experience sexual problems with SSRIs or SNRIs, which may be helped by adjusting the dosage or switching to another medication.

One popular antidepressant that works on dopamine is bupropion (Wellbutrin). Bupropion tends to have similar side effects as SSRIs and SNRIs, but is less likely to cause sexual side effects. However, it can increase a person’s risk for seizures.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

TricyclicsTricyclics are older antidepressants. They’re powerful, but aren’t used as much today because their potential side effects are more serious.

They may affect the heart in people with heart conditions. They sometimes cause dizziness, especially in older adults. They also may cause drowsiness, dry mouth and weight gain. These side effects can usually be corrected by changing the dosage or switching to another medication. However, tricyclics may be especially dangerous if taken in overdose.

Tricyclics include imipramine and nortriptyline.

MAOIsMonoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the oldest class of antidepressant medications. They can be especially effective in cases of “atypical” depression, such as when a person experiences increased appetite and the need for more sleep rather than decreased appetite and sleep. They also may help with anxious feelings or panic and other specific symptoms.

However, people who take MAOIs must avoid certain foods and beverages (including cheese and red wine) that contain a substance called tyramine. Certain medications, including some types of birth control pills, prescription pain relievers, cold and allergy medications and herbal supplements, also should be avoided while taking an MAOI. These substances can interact with MAOIs to cause dangerous increases in blood pressure. The development of a new MAOI skin patch may help reduce these risks.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

If you’re taking an MAOI, your doctor should give you a complete list of foods, medicines, and substances to avoid.

MAOIs can also react with SSRIs to produce a serious condition called “serotonin syndrome,” which can cause confusion, hallucinations, increased sweating, muscle stiffness, seizures, changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm, and other potentially life-threatening conditions. MAOIs shouldn’t be taken with SSRIs.

How should I take antidepressant medications?All antidepressants must be taken for at least 4-6 weeks before they have a full effect. You should continue to take the medication, even if you’re feeling better, to prevent the depression from returning.

Medication should be stopped only under a doctor’s supervision. Some medications need to be gradually stopped to give the body time to adjust. Although antidepressants aren’t habit-forming or addictive, suddenly ending an antidepressant can cause withdrawal symptoms or lead to a relapse of the depression. Some individuals, such as those with chronic or recurrent depression, may need to stay on the medication indefinitely.

Also, if one medication doesn’t work, you should consider trying another.

Research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that people who didn’t get well after taking a first medication increased their chances of beating the depression after they switched to a different drug, or added another medication to their existing one.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Sometimes stimulants, anti-anxiety medications or other drugs are used together with an antidepressant, especially if a person has a co-existing illness. However, neither anti-anxiety medications nor stimulants are effective depression treatments when taken alone, and both should be taken only under a doctor’s close supervision.

More information about mental health medications is available on the NIMH website.

FDA warning on antidepressantsDespite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults.

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4%of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2% of those receiving placebos (sugar pills).

This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a “black box” warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24.

The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior, such as sleeplessness, agitation or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the doctor.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Results of a comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggested that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depression and anxiety disorders.

Also, the FDA issued a warning that combining an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant with one of the commonly-used “triptan” medications for migraine headache could cause life-threatening “serotonin syndrome,” marked by agitation, hallucinations, elevated body temperature and rapid changes in blood pressure. Although most dramatic in the case of the MAOIs, newer antidepressants may also be associated with potentially dangerous interactions with other medications.

What about St. John’s wort?The extract from the herb St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. In Europe, it’s used extensively to treat mild to moderate depression. In the United States, it’s one of the top-selling botanical products.

In an 8-week trial involving 340 patients diagnosed with major depression, St. John’s wort was found to be no more effective than a placebo. However, use of St. John’s wort for minor or moderate depression may be more effective. Its use in the treatment of depression remains under study.

St. John’s wort can interact with other medications, including those used to control HIV infection. In 2000, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory letter stating that the herb may interfere with certain medications used to treat heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and those used to prevent organ transplant rejection. The herb also may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Consult with your doctor before taking any herbal supplement.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

PsychotherapySeveral types of psychotherapy – or “talk therapy” – can help people with depression. Two effective types are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).

CBT helps people with depression restructure negative thought patterns, so they can interpret their environment and interactions with others in a positive and realistic way.

It may also help you recognize things that may be contributing to the depression and help you change behaviors that may be making the depression worse.

IPT helps people understand and work through troubled relationships that may cause their depression or make it worse.

For mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy may be the best option. However, for severe depression or for certain people, psychotherapy may not be enough.

For teens, a combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the most effective approach to treating major depression and reducing the chances of it coming back.

Another study looking at depression treatments among older adults found that people who responded to medication and IPT were less likely to have recurring depression if they continued their combination treatment for at least 2 years.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Electroconvulsive therapy and other brain-stimulation therapiesFor cases in which antidepressant medications and/or psychotherapy don’t help relieve a person’s treatment-resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be useful. ECT, formerly known as “shock therapy,” once had a bad reputation. But in recent years, it has greatly improved and can provide relief for people with severe symptoms who haven’t been able to feel better with other depression treatments.

Before ECT begins, a patient is put under brief anesthesia and given a muscle relaxant. He or she sleeps through the treatment and doesn’t consciously feel the electrical impulses. Within 1 hour after the treatment session, which takes only a few minutes, the patient is awake and alert.

A person typically will undergo ECT several times a week, and often will need to take an antidepressant or other medication along with the ECT treatments. Although some people will need only a few courses of ECT, others may need maintenance ECT – usually once a week at first, then gradually decreasing to monthly treatments.

ECT may cause some side effects, including confusion, disorientation and memory loss. Usually these side effects are short-term, but sometimes they can linger.

Newer methods of administering the treatment have reduced the memory loss and other cognitive difficulties associated with ECT. Research has found that after 1 year of ECT treatments, most patients showed no adverse cognitive effects.

Nevertheless, patients always provide informed consent before receiving ECT, ensuring that they understand the potential benefits and risks of the treatment.

If you’re diagnosed with depression, it’s important to know what your options are. Various depression treatments work better for some patients than others, and each one has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Read on to learn about different kinds of antidepressant medications, psychotherapy and less common treatments, such as herbal remedies and brain stimulation...

Other, more recently introduced types of brain-stimulation therapies used as severe depression treatments include vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). These methods are not yet commonly used, but research has suggested that they show promise.

More information on ECT, VNS, rTMS and other brain stimulation therapies is available on the NIMH website.

Could You Be Depressed?If you’re depressed, you’re experiencing more than just the occasional bad mood or terrible day. Depression affects 20 million people in any given year and is a serious enough disorder to compromise one’s ability to function normally day to day. Take this quiz to find out if you’re just blue or if you might be clinically depressed.

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